Smaller Japanese cities have far fewer exchange counters and machines than Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto.
Why options thin out
Smaller cities simply do not have the counter and machine density of a major hub, so an option you would expect in Tokyo may not exist locally.
Exchanging before you travel onward
Exchanging a working amount of cash in a major hub before heading to a smaller city avoids searching for limited options later.
Tip: Post office and Seven Bank ATMs are generally reliable even in smaller cities, though the number of locations is fewer.
Card acceptance outside major cities
Card acceptance is less consistent than in major cities, so carrying more cash than you might in Tokyo or Osaka is a sensible habit.
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